Name: An Ocean of Light By Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)
SKU: 9780199379941
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An Ocean of Light Summary

An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation by Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)

For people drawn to a life of contemplation, the dawning of luminous awareness in a mind full of clutter is deeply liberating. In the third of his best-selling books on Christian contemplative life, Martin Laird turns his attention to those who are well settled in their contemplative practice. An Ocean of Light speaks both to those just entering the contemplative path and to those with a maturing practice of contemplation. Gradually, the practice of contemplation lifts the soul, freeing it from the blockages that introduce confusion into our identity and thus confusion about the mystery we call God. In the course of a lifetime of inner silencing, the flower of awareness emerges: a living realization that we have never been separate from God or from the rest of humanity while we each fully become what each of us is created to be. In contemplation we become so silent before God that the before drops away. Those whose lives have led them deeply into the silent land realize this, but not in the way that we realize that the square root of 144 is 12. Laird draws from a wide and diverse range of writers-from St. Augustine, Evagrius Ponticus, and St. Teresa of Avila to David Foster Wallace, Flannery O'Connor, Virginia Woolf, and Franz Wright-to ground his insight in an ancient practice and give it a voice in contemporary language. With his characteristic lyricism and gentleness, Laird guides readers through new challenges of contemplative life, such as making ourselves the focus of our own contemplative project; dealing with old pain; transforming the isolation of loneliness and depression into a liberating solidarity with all who suffer; and the danger of using a spiritual practice as a strategy to acquire and control.

An Ocean of Light Reviews

This is a useful and thoughtful read, perhaps especially so in unsettling times. * Matthew Friedman, Kingswood University, Religious Studies Review *
Those already familiar with and appreciative of Laird's writing will no doubt enjoy this latest installment ... creative and poetic, eclectic and woven from disparate sources ... this is a good book for adult faith formation and classroom adoption in courses aiming to introduce the lived practice of contemplation. * Daniel P. Horan, OFM, Horizons *
Once again, Martin Laird has given us a book on the contemplative journey that is without verbiage, mystification, or sentimentality, both intensely challenging and enriching, and anchored in realism. His writing on this subject is simply in a different league of seriousness from most other books on 'spiritual' practice. * Rowan Williams, Master, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge *
In this his third volume on contemplative prayer, Martin Laird once again combines acute scholarly citations from the contemplative tradition with memorable narratives from his own direction. But this time he plumbs new depths of insight: the section on prayer and depression, in particular, is unique in its wisdom and insight. This is new modern classic, and will stand the test of time. To be read and savoured again and again. * Sarah Caokley, Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge *
A beautifully written, thoughtful and honest account of what it means to face oneself and our shared world in the silent depths of prayer. And so encouraging! A powerful reminder that the simple, daily, moment-to-moment practice of paying attention can heal and transform, can help bring us closer to God and to one another. The one thing necessary. * Douglas E. Christie, author of The Blue Sapphire of the Mind *
Martin Laird is a gracious host; he presents the rich fare of the Christian contemplative tradition in an authentic twenty-first-century vernacular, and in so doing invites the readerDLwho could resist such an invitation?DLto enter into the banquet of silent and loving communion with the living God. * Carol Zaleski, Professor of World Religions, Smith College *

About Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)

Martin Laird, O.S.A, is Professor of Early Christian Studies at Villanova University. Laird is the author of several books on Early Christian thought and Christian contemplative life, including Into the Silent Land and A Sunlit Absence. He lectures widely through the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland

Acknowledgments Introduction Part I Chapter 1 - Contemplation and the Human Condition Chapter 2 - Silence Shining like the Sun Part II Chapter 3 - Distant Echoes of Home: Reactive Mind Chapter 4 - A Brilliance Dimly Lit: Receptive Mind Chapter 5 - An Ocean of Light: Luminous Mind Part III Chapter 6 - Our Uninvited Guests: Depression Chapter 7 - Our Uninvited Guests: Old Pain Chapter 8 - Our Uninvited Guests: Loneliness Notes

Additional information

Sku

CIN0199379947VG

ISBN 13

9780199379941

ISBN 10

0199379947

Title

An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation by Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)

Author

Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)

Condition

Used - Very Good

Binding type

Hardback

Publisher

Oxford University Press Inc

Year published

20190131

Number of pages

248

Prizes

N/A

Cover note

Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.

Note

This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

An Ocean of Light Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)

An Ocean of Light by Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)

An Ocean of Light Summary

An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation by Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)

An Ocean of Light Reviews

About Martin Laird (Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Professor of Early Christian Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University)

Table of Contents

Additional information

Customer Reviews - An Ocean of Light